A revision of the African Species ofCentroptilumEaton (Baetidae, Ephemeroptera)

Abstract

Of the 20 Afrotropical species hitherto placed in the genus Centroptilum Eaton, the nymphs of 7 have been described, all of them from South Africa. The nymphs of a further 5 species from East Africa and 3 from West Africa are described here, 6 of them being new. In the light of the recent redefinition of the Palaearctic species of the genus, all the African species except one are transferred to the new genus Afroptilum comprising the two subgenera Afroptilum s.s. and Afroptiloides. The genus is recorded from North Africa, Africa South of the Sahara, Madagascar and possibly the Oriental Region. The genus Demoulinia is created for the single aberrant species, Centroptilum crassi from South Africa. The new genera are defined and the characteristics of the Cloeonine Baetidae are discussed.